EVERTON striker Duncan Ferguson was today undergoing treat-ment for a groin injury picked up in the defeat at Tottenham.

He was being joined in the physio room by defender Alan Stubbs, another groin strain victim from Saturday's game.

The good news for Evertonians is that the international break this weekend gives the pair a fortnight to recover for the Blues' next league fixture - the televised clash against Southampton at Goodison on Sunday, October 19.

Manager David Moyes said: "Duncan has a bit of a groin strain as does Alan Stubbs.

"Both picked them up in the game on Saturday. It's a bit too early to say how bad they are. We will just have to monitor them."

The injury is a particular blow to Ferguson (pictured) , who had just re-established himself in the first-team after a back injury wrecked his chances last season.

His recent form even led Scotland manager Bertie Vogts to wish he would end his long self-imposed international exile, but the big Scot is still refusing to play for his country.

Moyes has had time to reflect on his side's dismal 3-0 Premiership defeat at White Hart Lane, but he remains adamant there was nothing positive to take out of the Blues' performance.

Those players not on international duty were hauled in for training yesterday and were back at Bellefield this morning.

International breaks normally see the rest of the squad allowed time off, but the Everton stars still on Merseyside can expect few favours from their angry manager.

Moyes added: "They need to perform more to get breaks.

"We'll be training and trying to put things right. We are looking to try and recapture our good performances of last season.

"At the moment I feel we are a bit short of that standard, but we are working towards it.

"I don't know if the international break is beneficial.

"It can work both ways. Sometimes you're glad to have a game coming up, other times you need a break to recover. We all knew it was coming and there is nothing we can do except just get on with it."